Education:

B.S. – 1968 – The Pennsylvania State University, University Park, PA (Botany)
M.S. – 1970 – Purdue University, West Lafayette, IN (Plant Pathology)
Ph.D. – 1977 – Purdue University, West Lafayette, IN (Plant Pathology with minor in Soil Microbiology)

Research Interests:

Current program research focuses on:

The effect of greenhouse cultural practices, including nutrition, silicon amendment, media types and composition, and abiotic stress on disease expression in bedding plant species

Evaluation and development of new and innovative methods of fungal disease control utilizing biologicals, botanical-based compositions, and environmental regulation to reduce dependence on traditional pesticide-based protocols and worker and consumer exposure to traditional pesticides, and

Production of healthy greenhouse floricultural crops through understanding of the interaction of production practices with disease epidemiology.

Selected Publications:

Frantz, J.M., Pitchay, D., Locke, J.C., Horst, L. and Krause, C.R. 2005. Foliar silica deposition in New Guinea impatiens. Plant Health Progress

Bowers, J.H. and Locke, J.C. 2004. Effect of formulated plant extracts and oils on population density of Phytophthora nicotiannae in soil and control of Phytophthora blight in the greenhouse. Plant Disease 88:11-16.

Hoitink, H.A.J., Nameth, S.T. and Locke, J.C. 2003. Control of Phytophthora and other major diseases of Ericaceous plants. Pages 73-78 in Special Circular 189. Ohio Agricultural Research and Development Center. Annual Reports and Research Reviews 2002. 172 pp.

Bowers, J.H. and Locke, J.C. 2001. Effect of formulated botanical extracts in combination with biocontrol organisms as an integrated strategy to control Fusarium wilt. Biological and Cultural Tests for Control of Plant Diseases 15:160.

Bowers, J.H. and Locke, J.C. 2000. Effect of botanical extracts on the population density of Fusarium oxysporum in soil and control of Fusarium wilt in the greenhouse. Plant Disease 84:300-305.

Locke, J.C., Bowers, J.H. and Normoyle, M.C. 1998. Evaluation of natural products from plants as biopesticides to control soilborne fungal plant pathogens. Proc. 7th Intl. Cong. Plant Path. 5.2.38.

Lewis, J.A., Lumsden, R.D. and Locke, J.C. 1996. Biocontrol of damping-off diseases caused by Rhizoctonia solani and Pythium ultimum with alginate prills of Gliocladium virens, Trichoderma hamatum and various food bases. Bio. Sci. Tech. 6:163-173.

Jacobs, K.A., Carter, M.R. and Locke, J.C. 1996. Inhibition of Botryosphaeria dothidea mycelia growth and conidial germination by botanical extracts, insecticidal soap, and clove oil. Biological and Cultural Tests for Control of Plant Diseases 11:47.

Locke, J.C. 1995. Effects on viruses and organisms – Fungi. Pp. 118-127 in The Neem Tree, Sources of unique natural products for integrated pest management, medicine, industry and other purposes. H. Schmutterer ed., VCH, Weinheim, Federal Republic of Germany. 696 pp.

Locke, J.C., Larew, H.G. and Walter, J.F. 1993. Efficacy of clarified neem seed oil against foliar fungal pathogens and greenhouse whiteflies. Pp. 287-289 in Lumsden and Vaughn eds. Pest Management: Biologically Based Technologies. ACS Conference Proceedings Series. ACS, Washington, D.C. 435 pp.